zoeadler

Hi, A friend of mine is getting married in Stuart, FL (near West Palm and Boca) and needs a kick ass caterer. She doesn't want a traditional thing - more BBQ or bonfires...something beachy and casual. But really good food. If anyone has any ideas, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!! Zoe

Hi all, My husband and I had been to Hotel de la Plage a couple years ago (Relais and Chateaux place) and loved the location and the food. When we called to see if they were baby friendly they said yes, but the dining area is soooo stuffy and formal that our 15 month old running around is not very welcome. So we are stuck in Brittany (ok not a bad thing) without any backup plans for eating. We are in St Anne La Palud, about 30 minutes from Quimper and near the Pointe du Raz if you know that area. We're here til the 4th, so if anyone has any good suggestions quickly of a place for dinner - either outside where she can run around - or inside where it's very family oriented but still good food - I'd be greatly appreciative. Thanks so much in advance, Zoe

try nyhabitat.com (or nyhabitats.com can't remember) they have places in ny and paris also try craigslist that now has a version for paris - you might be able to find some there too. zoe

Just my two cents but not sure that Bistrot Paul Bert is really really worth the trip. It's a very cute and inexpensive bistro in the 11th and yes, for the price it's good bistrot food, but I think there might be better choices if that's what you want. I liked Pim's list on her site for inexpensive bistrots - http://chezpim.typepad.com/blogs/2004/12/p..._pas_cher_.html. I'm not shooting down the Paul Bert, it is very "typique" but just wondering if there are others that might be better. Perhaps the group can elaborate on this. But...on the same street is Temps au Temps that is really one of my fav restaurants in Paris right now. A young and very sweet couple opened it and it's a great experience. The food is gastro but not too too expensive and a very nice atmosphere. I'd vote to try there. I'd also second the vote for L'Ambroisie. It's such a special experience. What about Atelier Robuchon for lunch one day? That's a super fun thing to see for a chef. Plus the degustation is a great way to sample some very interesting dishes. Zoe

ooooo. so disagree with that. I don't think it's as easy as NYC. in NYC you have a buzz factor that everyone - not just the foodies - know when a new place opens up. you have to work harder here and really do research. I subscribed to Zurban for a while but find that they don't really "review" a place, or have a strong opinion. plsu I don't always find interest in the restaurants they choose. maybe figaroscope is better with Simon as a reviewer, actually I'm sure it is. but, it comes down to reading it religiously which I don't, but am starting to do, as one poster said "she needs to do her homework" which I'm starting to do. I probably shouldn't glorify NYC as easier, perhaps it's also that I have more fooding contacts there...it's just that thus far I've found Paris a different type of restaurant city. I think it would be an interesting idea for someone in the group to do a paris fooding 101 - who are the big chefs, the big restaurants (ie the michelin starred) and then who are their disciples and the other young ones to watch. just an idea. I'm sure the guidebooks have done this sort of thing, but would be nice to have it on egulllet. anyhoo, i'll post as I try the restaurants recommended and thanks for the advice so far. ps - john I discovered pim's reviews as well which I find very very helpful!

thanks john for the info it's dip...but just researched it - it's only a small indian restaurant, not sure what it was doing in the article. says it looks like a typical indian but it's super authentic. might be worth it to try since it's hard to find a good indian that's not too oily. address is 5 boulevard st. marcel - website is www.restaurant-indien.com I also read about Entrédejeu - might be fun for a group. Any thoughts?

has anyone tried the following places? they were reviewed in an "easy jet" article I received from one of the posters...they sound interesting but wonder if anyone has insider knowledge :-) - Dip (Boulevard St. Michel) - Dominique Bouchet (8eme) - Calus (8eme) Zoe

Thanks john and felice. I feel like I'm playing a bit of catch up here - I should have already tried these places! found a great article in the times that talk about Le Comptoir, Benoit and Gaya. Going to try and go to each one! Here's the article. Zoe http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/01/22/trav...873edf5&ei=5070

John, thanks for the tips. Will add those to the "list". Also someone I think from egullet send me via email a scan of Gogo which I think you use now in your summary, yes? Any idea where to buy the hard copy? And thanks to the person who emailed me. Any other newish restaurants would be welcome. Are there any new chefs to watch - ones that came from the big kitchens and are now on their own? I guess I'm really looking for what's buzzing in Paris besides from the Michelin stars. thanks again zoe

Hi all, I've decided to bring a little of what I call "NY" fooding to Paris. No no, that sounds bad. But let me explain. In New York there is this wonderful buzz everytime a new restaurant opens - which happens many times a week. Everyone rushes in to taste and to make their judgement about whether or not they like it, etc. As a Parisienne for over 3 years, I know we work differently here in Paris. And I'm not trying to be "an american in Paris". There is more "establishment", more "tradition", all of which I love. That's one side of the restaurant culture here. However, I am convinced that this sort of energy about new restaurants can be found in Paris, but it's not as easy as opening Time Out or the Times that we might do in NY. It takes work. Planning. KNOWLEDGE. That's where I would LOVE some help. So I post this topic to the list. New restaurants in Paris. Open less than 6 months say. Even better if open less than 3. Which ones are people buzzing about? It would be great if price ranges stayed around 50-60 a person, but let's not be too strict about pricing. If there are expensive new ones to try, let's list them. New young chefs to watch? New types of cuisine? Etc. I will be more than happy to post my thoughts after trying them, as I am sure my friends will as well. A good example I would give, which John Talbott I think would agree with, is a sort of place like Temps au Temps. Little, intime, and when it opened reviews were amazing and we all rushed there. Sort of places like that. Well, let the games begin. I can't wait to hear some comments! Thanks for the help, Zoe

Hi Freckles, Just wondering about your "eat your way through paris" girls group. If you are living here and looking for a couple more cool foody girls who speak english, I'd love to join you with my friend. I'm a NYer living in Paris who loves food! PS - Also try le bistrot Paul Bert - went there last night and was thinking it would be great for a girls night out! Zoe (zadlersberg@yahoo.com)

I second the reccomendation to go. We live in the area and always drag our foreign friends to Chez Paul for the french bistrot experience (bad food, but good atmosphere) - but no longer! We went there last night after we saw a review by Francois Simon (food critic) on TV. We weren't let down. The 3 course, 30 euro dinner is very worth it. Be warned though, the choices are very "french"...tripes, lots of meat, etc. The owner is a hunter (as my french father in law found out after a discussion with him). We had a lovely appetizer - calamari sauteed with citron confit. Very nice. Light. Tasty. Perfect. As a main we both had the cod with sauteed red cabbage and butter. The cod was huge, super fresh and tender and delectible. Desert was a fondant au chocolat, not that fondant but nice and rich and very chocolaty. This is a GREAT place to go for a totally non tourist little bistrot. Warm and friendly service. The rpice is right. The food is very good. I wouldn't make a special stop for it, but if you're looking for a convivial not that pricy authentic french restaurant, this is a great choice! Zoe

Hi Paul, Thanks for asking! The wedding and the food went off without a hitch. Everyone RAVED about the food. It was really extraordinary. The dinner and the brunch the following day were really spectacular. I'm very happy we found out that the Freres Pourcel have that catering division. It was amazing and the staff were 150% top notch. I really couldn't have asked for more. We also took everyone to the Petit Bru in Eygalieres after the wedding (the following Monday) and it was SPECTACULAR. I highly reccomend it for anyone looking for a great meal in the area - it's 35 euros with appetizer, main, cheese and desert and a 1/2 bottle of wine. Not bad, eh? Thanks again for asking. We are still reliving the wedding! Zoe

Thanks for all the replies, I just wanted to let you all know (because I realize everyone is just biting their fingernails waiting to hear about my wedding plans ) that after calling all the michelin starred restaurants in a 100km radius (no joke), I fell on Le Jardin des Sens of the Freres Pourcels who have recently purchased a catering copany in the south. So luckily enough they have the expertise of being gastronomes with the equipment of a catering company that can move around. Thank God. Plus they are going to help find someone to do a wedding cake. You'd think it would be sumple to find that in the land of pastries, but I've contacted many top patisseries in Paris who hae never done it before and don't feel confidant that they could! But in the end, all is well. We got the Freres Pourcel, a gastronomic feast for our wedding and we can do it in a garden. As much as I would have loved Chez Bru, they didn't feel confidant enough to cater outside the restaurant, and also they have just been given 2 stars so they are concentrating all energy into the restaurant there. We'll just have to go for dinner one night. So thanks for all the help and here's to wht will hopefully be a good yummy wedding!!! Zoe

Just to add to to the good things said about Roellinger - we were there in August of 2004 and were really blown away by not only the food, but the service, the setting and the warmth of the place. We still talk about his tartare of St. Pierre (translation in english ???) with a Celtic vinegrette. It's OUTSTANDING. We of course hit the boutique and walked away with his special herbs and vinegar plus a DVD about his life with recipies (highly recommended). He became a chef late in life after a savage mugging left him hospitalized for many months. He is also self taught which is adds to the intrigue. The restaurant is his childhood home and you erally get the sense you are being welcomed into his world. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Cancale is also a lovely, not too touristy, town in Brittany with many lovely surrounding beaches and drives. We didn't, but I would have loved to, stay in the private cabanas he rents (not the chateau but the houses on the cliff) and reccomend that too - we passed to see them - if you can. ENJOY!!! Zoe

Thanks Lucy. I'll look up that restaurant. And I totally agree about the cake. I'm sort of toying with the idea of having a friend fly over with one...there are such cake experts in the states! As for what we had at chez bru...honestly I can't remember the dishes exactly, it was about a year ago - I usually take notes - I should have then!!! But the dishes were simple - I think I had porc but it was roast with all sorts of yumminess - simple a bit sucré - but delish. It's jus the vibe at Chez Bru that I adore - food that is traditional - roasts or simple meats - no vertical food or complications - and the dishes melt in your mouth. Food is of the highest quality and there is always a little plus (like the sucré with the porc). The decor and ambiance also reflect that "we're in the country, but we have great taste...simple but very high level". I hope this helps. Going to call Mme Bru now and get the final response. Zoe

FYI - 2005 Just a note to let you know that I just recently was told that Chez Ju Ju was razed along with all the little cabanas on the beach. A local from St. remy told me and in researching on the Internet it seems that it's very true. It's so sad as the little cabanas on the beach of Beauduc were so quaint and Camarguais! Just a little bulletin for those planning on exploring Provence and the South. Zoe

Hello again, I recently posted looking for help about a caterer for my wedding in Provence this June. We haven't had a ton of luck finding a good one, so I'm going to take another route... If you have any suggestions of restaurants, please let me know, I will contact them to see if they do catering from time to time. What we'd really really like in terms of cuisine, is the idea of simple, uncomplicated food - a wonderful roast lamb, pommes de terre puree, foie gras - but done on a very high level. Best ingredients, perhaps a twist in a recipie...but not complicated. No mousses, napleon of crab, etc... The example I'm trying to recreate is what I ate at Chez Bru in Eygalieres (have already contacted them to see if they will cater...waiting for response). So if you can think of a restaurant in Provence or the Cote d'Azur, Michelin starred or not (but close perhaps), that seems to recall the type of cuisine we're searching for...it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very very much in advance. I promise to post pics of the wedding! Zoe

As a NYer living in Paris for 2 years, I can't seem to abandon the idea of brunch. We often make one at home after going to our market in the 12th (Aligre), but I've discovered a lovely new spot. Hopefully we can keep in on the hush hush, the last time I was there it was not yet packed. It's on a tiny street in the Marais and seems hidden enough not to attract too many tourists. What I love about it is the B&B feeling. You arrive and the 10+ tables are already set with a basket of croissants and such and little yogurt pots. They offer you tea or coffee plus juice, there is no menu so they serve you what they have, eggs or quiche, formage, etc. I think it's about 25 euros a person for all. It's a lovely warm very country environment in the heart of Paris. It's called Appart'thé, 7 rue Charlot.

we're still planning on having the wedding in st. remy, but we've been told that most caterers are used to travel. since there are quite a few big towns nearby, I've started putting out some feelers. starting with the michelin starred restaurants and calling to see if they cater outside the restaurant. so far the moulin de mougins has said they do. will find out cost tomorrow. any ideas?

Thanks for all the replies and help. Sorry to not have posted sooner but I wasn't recieving the emails that said there was an update to the post. We've found a few options....one Michelin starred chef that has a catering company in Paris but is extra expensive and one in the south who is no bad but not great. We're still in the search - maybe will try Lyon. More soon! Zoe

I'd 2nd Bux's poste - a conciege can work wonders. Also something I tried that worked was this...I called for a reservation 1 week in advance and said I was calling for Mr. Coutelle (no one famous, just the name of my boyfriend but they might think he was important since he had someone calling for him...). When they said there was no possibilities of a table, I said "Oh, Mr. Coutelle will be so disappointed". They put us on the waiting list and the next day I got a call for "Mr. Coutelle" telling us that he had some "good news" and that we got a table. Coincidence? Luck? Good timing? Maybe....but we did get that table. Worth a try,no?

Calling all foodies for help :-) My french fiancee and I (ny-expat in paris) are getting married in Provence, near St. Remy this summer. We are in the process of looking for a caterer but have found our tastes don't seem to match with those of a traditional caterer. We just got back from a tasting at HELEN, supposedly the top de top of the south for caterer and were depressed by the tough meats, overly fancy complicated hors d'oeuvres, grey overcooked veggies and just all around bad taste of the food. I am hoping that someone on the board will have some advice - perhaps a restaurant you know that caterers or a great chef or something. The issue is that we have a house where we are planning the party and thus need someone who can come to us. The caterer tried to explain to us that they are not a restaurant and can't be expected to do as well as a restaurant would and that it's a caterer that's needed for a wedding, not a restaurant....but I have a hard time believing that we can't do better than that. What we'd ideally love is something refined but simple - not provencal or heavy french food - but something with great products with a twist. Imagine hor d'oeuvres of a great foie gras poilee on a superbe pain de mie ...or a lovely chevre on toast with a super tapenade....non fussy main courses like a roast lamb and wonderful mashed potatoes - simple but if the ingredients are top quality, yum! We loved restaurants in the area like Cabro D'or or Chez Bru (Michelin 1 *) and in Paris we do little neigborhood places like Le Temps au Temps but also love the tops like L'Ambroisie or Atelier de Robuchon...just to give an idea of our tastes. So with this, I am truly hoping that someone might know of someone or know someone that knows someone....food is super important to us and it depresses us that we'll end up with a commercial caterer that thinks frozen over cooked veggies are acceptable! Thanks for any and all advice about this, I'm open! Many thanks in advance, Zoe

thank you thank you. speaking of the Cabro D'Or, the other reason we're going down to provence is to check out places that we might want to get married in this summer. we were trying to find a ancien mas/prieure that isn't too stiff...not chateau...that would be good for 100 people - dinner outside not in the building. just for fun we had asked L'Osteau de Beaumaniere....tres chic in Les Beaux but their "sister" hotel - Cabro D'or is the one that does the weddings. anyway - if anyone has been to a darling hotel that isn't too stuffy but at the same time is nice and a bit chic that might make for a nice venue, please share! thanks, zoe

thanks for the tips - all taken and written down. we leave tomorrow night....any last minute must eats? zoe